Need help - Would you take a paycut to work in the FO?

Hi guys,

Would like to get some inputs from you all. I just graduated about 2 years back and am currently working in the credit risk team of a BB in Singapore.

I recently got an offer to work for the DCM team in a smaller bank. However, it is a one year contract role (with a high chance of conversion). The salary isn't as high as what I'm getting now even though it is a FO role). HR said the pay may be revised after conversion to a full-time.

If you were in my shoes, will you take the offer to work in the FO for slightly lesser pay? My main considerations are that I don't want to be stuck doing risk for the rest of my life (the work gets really mundane and boring), and I understand it gets more difficult to transit from BO to FO.

Thanks a lot in advance!

7 Comments
 
Most Helpful

A couple of considerations here:

From the sounds of it, a lateral move within the current firm isn't a possibility? If that's the case, and I was in your shoes with this only option, I'd probably take the pay cut.

Assuming you're not financially underwater and that the salary difference wouldn't be that huge (since this is at the junior level), I'd say its a risk worth taking just from a career development point of view if you don't want to stay in credit risk. The DCM role will arguably make you more marketable and would set you up for more opps (and money) ahead. Short term pain for long term gain.

Another consideration is just how much smaller is this new bank and what's their deal flow/positioning like in the market. Smaller isn't necessarily bad but still something to think about.

"A guy gets on the MTA here in L.A. and dies. Think anybody'll notice?" - Vincent
 

Great, thanks guys for the advice.

I am inclined to go for the FO role, albeit it comes with a lower pay for now. I think this should be the right decision for my long-term career.

Welcome additional inputs!

 

Yes, Pay at your age isn't the focus. Your experience is.

You can rank up pay very quickly once you get the right experience. eg. Do DCM for a 2-3 years and then move to a BB DCM team.

Sponsors M&A (London)
 

Quia incidunt aliquid voluptatem ducimus harum accusamus aut. Est qui quod doloremque laboriosam commodi sunt.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (72) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”